Gilas to kick out Sampson from roster?

Dubai, UAE – After showing its mettle at the 21st Dubai International Basketball Championship against the giants of Middle East and North African basketball, there are indications that Smart Gilas Pilipinas might make some adjustments with its line-up to make the team more competitive.

Gilas’ weakness showed, after the team’s 79-76 loss against Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, that without an intimidating big man the Rajko Toroman-coached squad is defenseless against taller and heftier opponents.

Al Riyadi is a team loaded with American imports with former Gilas prospect CJ Giles and Nate Johnson leading the charge.

Gilas also dropped its first game, 90-76, against Syria’s Al Jalaa.

In both games, 6-foot-11 Jamal Sampson, the team’s replacement for Giles and a former NBA veteran who is being eyed for naturalization, suited up but did not play citing his knee injury as the culprit.

“We don’t have too much inside game. Jason Ballesteros and Greg Slaughter gave all their best, but fighting against a lot of American imports were too much for them," said Toroman.

Toroman, however, did not make any categorical statement yet if they are planning to find a replacement for Sampson who is still wary about his left knee.

But he indicated that he will have a press conference as soon as they return to Manila to announce any possible changes with Gilas’ line-up. The team is expected to arrive in Manila Sunday afternoon.

As of this posting time, Gilas is battling Syria for third place. Lebanon will face Iran’s Mahram in the championship.

Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala said that he is also dismayed in Sampson’s performance. “Although we are not giving up on him (Sampson) yet, we are not satisfied with his performance."

“We need reliable big men in the inside. We will evaluate Sampson’s performance and since reliability is needed we are open to look for other options, if the need arise," Eala added.

Even migrant Filipinos residing in UAE, who come in droves in every Gilas game, share the same view.

Ramon Pizarras, chairman of Filipino Basketball Center-UAE and the one responsible for bringing Gilas in Dubai, said things could have been different if Sampson played. “His mere presence could have intimated the opposing teams."

Meanwhile, Egyptian coach Ahmed Marri and Lebanese coach Abou Chakra are all praises to the tenacity and team spirit of the Philippine national team.

Both coaches noted that Gilas players are very fast and mobile and with more big guys joining them, the team will be very hard to beat in international competitions.

Source: Angel Tesorero  | gmanews.tv